A Florida police officer is facing criminal charges after investigators say he repeatedly used his department’s Flock automated license plate reader database to search for his estranged wife’s vehicle — 717 times over roughly 21 months.
Christopher Anthony Goodson, 31, of the Haines City Police Department was arrested on August 11, 2026, and charged with one count of official misconduct and one count involving offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
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How the Haines City Officer’s Flock Camera Searches Were Discovered
The investigation began on August 10, 2026, after Goodson reportedly alerted a supervisor that he had made “several inquiries” through the Flock platform involving his estranged wife’s vehicle.
According to the affidavit, Goodson told the supervisor that his estranged wife had texted him saying The Washington Post was preparing a story about his alleged misuse of the database.
Goodson reportedly explained that he had searched for her vehicle because he wanted to monitor the location of his children when they were with their mother.
Investigators then reviewed his Flock activity and allegedly discovered 717 searches of his estranged wife’s license plate between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026.
The searches were reportedly conducted using both a police-department-issued laptop and cellphone.
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717 Searches Included Hundreds in Just One Month
The sheer frequency of the searches became one of the central details of the investigation.
According to the affidavit, Goodson’s activity included:
| Period | Reported searches |
| August 2025 | 86 |
| September 2025 | 280 |
| October 2025 | 72 |
| November 2025 | 104 |
| December 2025 | 68 |
The searches allegedly occurred while Goodson was both on duty and off duty.
Investigators also stated that during the period reviewed, Goodson’s estranged wife “was not involved in any type of criminal investigation nor was her vehicle listed as being part of any crime which would require Christopher to inquire her or the vehicles location.”
That finding became particularly significant because Flock systems are intended to support legitimate law-enforcement investigations rather than personal monitoring.
Investigators Questioned the Reasons Entered Into the Flock Database
The investigation was not limited to counting searches. Authorities also examined the reasons allegedly selected by Goodson when conducting them.
According to the affidavit, those justifications included “Criminal Motor Vehicle Offense,” “Wanted Person (Arrest Warrant/Fugitive),” “Drugs/Narcotics,” road rage and reckless driving, traffic infractions, theft, fleeing police, assault and battery offenses, drug and narcotic training, and obstructing police.
The different justifications are part of what investigators examined when determining whether the database had been accessed for legitimate law-enforcement purposes.
What Charges Does Christopher Goodson Face?
Goodson was arrested August 11 and faces two charges: official misconduct and offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices.
He had worked for the Haines City Police Department since March 2022.
Following the investigation, Goodson was placed on paid administrative leave. Authorities said he has also indicated that he plans to resign as a result of the investigation.
As of the most recent reports available in mid-to-late August 2026, there was no public information indicating whether Goodson had entered a plea or retained an attorney.
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Haines City Police Chief Responds to Flock Camera Misuse Allegations
Haines City Police Chief Isaac Jackson described the incident as unfortunate while stressing that law-enforcement databases are not intended for personal use.
“We want to make it clear that the Haines City Police Department does not tolerate the misuse, unauthorized access, or personal use of any investigative databases or law-enforcement information systems.”
Jackson said such resources are provided for legitimate official purposes and must be used responsibly and according to department policies and applicable laws.
He also said the department remains committed to transparency, professionalism and accountability, despite the case involving one of its officers.
The chief said he had mandated additional quarterly measures to ensure personnel were accessing the system for legitimate law-enforcement purposes.
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Haines City Police Adds New Flock Database Safeguards
Despite the controversy, Haines City police said it does not plan to discontinue its use of Flock cameras, describing the technology as an effective investigative tool when properly used.
Instead, the department introduced additional safeguards.
The measures include formal audits of Flock usage and requiring every search to be connected to a valid case number or incident number. Officers must also complete annual training or retraining.
A platoon lieutenant is required to conduct quarterly audits involving random reviews of officers’ searches. Those reviews examine the documented reason for each search, search frequency, usage patterns and the accuracy of information entered into the system.
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What Are Flock Cameras and Why Is Their Use Controversial?
Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that photograph vehicles and their licence plates. Law-enforcement agencies can use the technology to help locate missing people, investigate crimes, recover stolen vehicles and identify or eliminate vehicles that are not connected to an investigation.
But the technology has also faced privacy scrutiny because historical vehicle sightings can potentially reveal where a particular vehicle has travelled.
The Institute for Justice’s ALPR Abuse Database documents numerous reported cases involving alleged misuse of automated license plate reader systems, including cases involving Flock cameras and officers accused of tracking romantic partners or family members.
Flock Safety, the company behind the technology, has announced changes following reports of misuse, including requirements for searches to be associated with criminal case numbers, tools designed to identify abnormal activity and changes to the default data-retention period.
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Why the Florida Flock Camera Case Is Drawing Attention
The allegations against Goodson highlight a bigger question surrounding modern police surveillance: what happens when a powerful investigative tool is accessed for reasons unrelated to an actual investigation?
Flock cameras are designed to help law enforcement reconstruct vehicle movements and identify vehicles connected to crimes. But the same capability can become deeply intrusive if used improperly.
In Goodson’s case, investigators allege that the system was repeatedly used to search for his estranged wife’s vehicle even though she was not involved in a criminal investigation and her vehicle was not listed as being connected to a crime requiring those searches.
The case remains subject to the criminal justice process. Christopher Anthony Goodson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Consumer Privacy Fights Happen Too: Surveillance-tool controversies aren’t limited to policing; companies handling customer data face their own scrutiny and settlements when things go wrong. Our coverage of the Costco $14 Million Email Settlement: Washington Eligibility Details breaks down a recent case on that front.
Disclaimer and Sources
This article is based on a thorough review of the supplied probable-cause-affidavit reporting and statements attributed to the Haines City Police Department, along with reporting from PEOPLE (August 13, 2026), WFLA, WSB-TV/Cox Media Group (August 18, 2026), The Ledger (Lakeland), FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay 28/WFTS, ABC10, Dexerto and related local and national outlets, as well as the Institute for Justice ALPR Abuse Database.
The allegations described in an arrest affidavit are not established facts or proof of guilt. Goodson’s case remains subject to court proceedings, and information concerning any plea, attorney representation or final outcome may change as the case develops.
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Image Credit:
- Featured Image: Haines Police Department
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